A constant function is used to approximate the three values by minimizing the total…

MATHEMATICS · Single correct · AP · AP Statistics · Exploring Two-Variable Data · Exploring Two-Variable Data

Problem

A constant function

y=a

is used to approximate the three values

\{4,8,10\}

by minimizing the total squared error

E(a)=\sum_{i=1}^{3}(y_i-a)^2

. What value of

a

yields the least total squared error? (a)

8

(b)

\sqrt{60}

(c)

\dfrac{22}{3}

(d)

\sqrt[3]{320}